Prop. 19 Opponents’ Verbal Bluster Is Just The Latest Sign That We Are Winning!

In response to Friday’s threat by the Obama administration that they will “vigorously enforce” federal anti-marijuana laws in California, regardless of whether voters enact Proposition 19 this November, I have the following commentary in today’s edition of The Hill.

Despite the claims from Prop. 19 opponents that the measure would be ‘preempted’ by the federal government, at no time has the administration challenge the fact that Californians have the legal right to determine their own marijuana policies. Rather, the federal government has simply reinforced that they remain of the opinion that pot ought to be criminally outlawed — a position that is clearly out-of-step with the American public’s sentiment.

Furthermore, Californians have been here before and not just in 1996, when a majority of voters decided in favor of legalizing the statewide medical use of marijuana. Seventy-eight years ago this November, Californians overwhelmingly voted for the repeal of a morally, socially, and economically failed public policy – alcohol prohibition. Voters did not wait for the federal government to act; they took the matter into their own hands. And they will likely do so again this November.

Finally, it goes without saying that the federal justice department — verbal bluster aside — lacks both the resources and the political will to take on the role of targeting and prosecuting the estimated 3.3 million Californians who are presently consuming cannabis for non-medical purposes. These duties are relegated to state, not federal, law enforcement officials. Just as medical marijuana has existed as a legal market in California, in obvious violation of federal Controlled Substances Act, Prop. 19 will too remain the law of the land post-November 2.

My commentary is already the ‘most viewed’ and ‘most commented’ story on The Hill’s website, but you can still leave the Obama administration your two cents here.

Speaking of the Administration’s announcement, we now have L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca stating publicly that he will instruct his police officers to disregard the voters decision regarding Prop. 19. “Proposition 19 is not going to pass, even if it passes,” Baca has stated publicly. That’s right; we now have high ranking members of law enforcement bragging that they will openly engage in behavior that disobeys state law. I believe that society has a word for people like that: ‘criminals.’

Of course, reformers ought to take comfort in the Administration’s and Baca’s latest comments, as it shows that the supporters of prohibition — what few that are left — are running scared. After all, if our opponents weren’t convinced we were going to win on November 2, they wouldn’t be spending so much verbal bluster — and believe me, it is strictly bluster — on what they are going to do, or not do, on November 3.

99 responses to “Prop. 19 Opponents’ Verbal Bluster Is Just The Latest Sign That We Are Winning!”

#7 You said that well. 15 more days before California votes, and i seen somewhere that Mexico is keeping a close eye on the vote,and so am i if i were a voter in California i would vote YES because its our Personal Freedom, Choice.

1.Curtis Says:
October 18th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Baca is waaaay out of line. Really that leaves me without words. A law enforcement leader, is going to decide to disregard a law put forth by the people? That sounds awful totalitarian to me.

The whloe country could vote to end prohibition and these fucks would still try and arrest you. Tyrrany at its best.

They made a law that that makes you a criminal if your support changing it……

This is a plant that grows just like plenty of the foods we eat. If everyone just took the time ever now and again and smoked and relaxed the world would be more peacfull.I support what so many sre donig to give us the right to be free and smoke responsibly.

I absolutely agree with the Obama administration because they are talking about UPHOLDING the current laws against marijuana. Isn’t that what we need America? Leaders that stand behind their own policies??? However I disagree completely with the 78-year-old prohibition policy that has publicly failed & ruined the lives of millions of Americans. Everyday there is some worthless, jobless pot dealer getting by very well because growing plants seems easier than any other harmful drugs ie., meth, crack, heroin, etc… Take our marijuana attacking resources (the 2 year’s of effort in Operation Green Venom) & redirect them to the real problems plaguing our neighborhoods!!!

i hope your right about winning on prop 19 iam so tired of being labeled as a criminal and having to cheat on drug tests all the time to prove i dont use pot if it fails than all politicians need to take alcohol and drug tests to keep thier jobs for gods sake legalize it its no ones business that i choose to smoke instead of drink, been smoking since middle 70s never worried about getting caught but now the prohibitionists are stealing our rights away to try to win an unwinnable war u smopke they want to punish yyou with loss of job